Clinical Trial of a Nutritional Supplement in Adults With Bipolar Disorder

Summary

The purpose of the trial was to determine whether a 36-ingredient micronutrient supplement (primarily vitamins and minerals) is beneficial for the treatment of bipolar disorder, when studied under randomized and fully blinded conditions and compared to a placebo. The supplement is referred to as MCN36, because it contains 36 nutrients. Based on the preliminary research on this supplement, it is hypothesized that patients who take MCN36 for 8 weeks will experience improved mood stability relative to those who take the placebo. All participants must live EITHER in the vicinity of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, OR in the area of San Diego, California.

Timeline

Start

2005-04

Primary completion

2009-03

Completion

2009-03

Outcome

Outcome not reported

Stopped (Enrollment): “Unable to recruit large enough sample; large expectancy effects but no adverse events”

Publications

• Background Kaplan BJ, Simpson JS, Ferre RC, Gorman CP, McMullen DM, Crawford SG. Effective mood stabilization with a chelated mineral supplement: an open-label trial in bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001 Dec;62(12):936-44. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v62n1204.
• Background Kaplan BJ, Fisher JE, Crawford SG, Field CJ, Kolb B. Improved mood and behavior during treatment with a mineral-vitamin supplement: an open-label case series of children. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2004 Spring;14(1):115-22. doi: 10.1089/104454604773840553.
• Background Kaplan BJ, Crawford SG, Gardner B, Farrelly G. Treatment of mood lability and explosive rage with minerals and vitamins: two case studies in children. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2002 Fall;12(3):205-19. doi: 10.1089/104454602760386897.
• Background Popper CW. Do vitamins or minerals (apart from lithium) have mood-stabilizing effects? J Clin Psychiatry. 2001 Dec;62(12):933-5. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v62n1203. No abstract available.
• Background Simmons M. Nutritional approach to bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003 Mar;64(3):338; author reply 338-9. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v64n0317d. No abstract available.
• Background Kaplan BJ, Crawford SG, Field CJ, Simpson JS. Vitamins, minerals, and mood. Psychol Bull. 2007 Sep;133(5):747-60. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.133.5.747.

Drugs

Indications